Match to What MattersBest College Best Fit

The strength of our program is reflected in our college admissions, which echo the range of interests and abilities of our graduates. We believe that every student is blessed with multiple gifts and strengths, and our responsibility is to help them discover the best path for life after McLean.

We are proud of our graduates’ acceptances to highly selective colleges and universities, including Boston College Honors Program, Brandeis, Berklee College of Music, Howard, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Smith College, Syracuse University’s School of Communications, Tulane, and Yale among others.

We’re equally proud that nearly 100% of our seniors are admitted to their top three choices for college. These college acceptances, along with our equally impressive matriculation lists, speak to the merit of our students, teachers, academic program, and College Counseling team. Over the last three years, our seniors have received nearly $20 million in merit aid. The College Counseling staff is committed to ensuring that our students are empowered to make informed choices and advocates that there is a college for every student. Our responsibility is to empower and support them in making the best college choice, so they can thrive academically, socially, and personally, setting them up for a lifetime of success

The road to college can be overwhelming, but we work closely with our students and families to build strong, trusting relationships. The College Counselors support students throughout all four years of Upper School to help identify post-secondary options that best fit their academic interests, social-emotional connections, and career aspirations.

Our two College Counselors provide the following:

• Individual guidance and support for students in researching colleges, planning visits, writing essays, and practicing interview skills through individual meetings, workshops, and panel discussions. 
  
• Fostering a student’s understanding of how they learn and how to advocate for themselves.
• Support in navigating and managing the college admission and financial scholarship process.
  
• Liasoning with college admission representatives. Over 80 representatives from colleges and universities, both national and international, visit McLean every year.
• Providing Parent Education Workshops throughout the four-year process.
• Design and teach a College Guidance Course, as part of the yearly CORE programming, beginning in grade 9. This course gives freshman an introduction to the journey that lies ahead, which becomes most focused during their junior and senior year. 

The College Transition and Success Coordinator provides the following:

• Pre-college relationship-building and college skills instruction for Upper School students.
• Ongoing mentorship and coaching in time management, study skills, and self-advocacy for McLean alum in college.
• Emotional and social support to help students maintain a balance and promote their well-being.
• Campus outreach and travel to build partnerships with college support offices and better direct students to needed services.
• Workshops and alum engagement, such as return visits during college breaks and career panels.